Small Town News

Ample water awaits boaters this weekend

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Campers, anglers and hikers will have more water and better camping conditions this year than in the recent past, as they venture out over Labor Day Weekend, the last long holiday of the summer season.

Franklin County's streams and many canyon areas provide ample opportunity for recreationists.

Boating will most likely be possible on La-Mont, Glendale, Twin Lakes, Oneida, and some other reservoirs.

Sheriff Don Beck-stead said officers will be out and about this coming weekend, making sure all county laws and ordinances are being followed.

"We expect a busy weekend with camping around most reservoirs because of good water conditions. We will concentrate in and around all popular camping and boating spots," he said.

Beckstead said Franklin County has an ordinance which prohibits beer kegs and party balls. Any violators of this ordinance will be cited into court, he said.

Another ordinance Beckstead said people need to be aware of is one that prohibits any type of ATV or dirt bike around waterways.

"This law forbids ATVs and dirt bikes from all public or private roads around any waterway in the county," he said. "Deputies will be watching for violators."

Beginning this weekend, law enforcement officers in Idaho and across the country will work overtime to take drunk drivers off the roads. The stepped-up patrols are part of a nationwide campaign.

One popular recreation area in Franklin County is Cub River Canyon, located about 5 miles southeast of Preston. The canyon provides camping enthusiasts two campgrounds:

Albert Moser Campground is the first visitors see, as they travel up the Forest Service road. It provides nine camping units adjacent to the Cub River.

Six miles above Albert Moser is Willow Flat Campground. It offers the public 54 camping units, three group picnic areas, an amphitheater and a game area.

Forest Service officials said drinking water is available at both campgrounds.

There are several other camping facilities available in and close to Franklin County and include:

Emigration Canyon Campground off HWY 36 near the summit of Emigration Canyon between Preston and Montpelier. It offers 26 camping units and two flush toilets.

Dry Canyon Campground off HWY 36 between Preston and Malad. It is located about six miles up Dry Canyon and offers four picnic sites.

A camping fee is charged at all Forest Service campgrounds.

Bear River Campground is located just north of Preston near the junction of Idaho 34 and 36 in the Bear River bottoms.

It is maintained by Franklin County. The unimproved park offers up to 20 camping spots.

For those with RVs, waste dumps are located on West Oneida, just north of the Franklin County Road complex.

Camping is also available at many unimproved sites on the Bear River, and the Bureau of Land Management has developed a campground near the upper end of Oneida Reservoir.

Forest Service officials, based in Montpelier, said there are no fire restrictions in place on forested grounds around the campgrounds this year.

Campers and other recreationists are urged to use caution and common sense this Labor Day, they said.

Franklin County Fire Marshall Scott Martin said those using ATVs and four-wheeldrive trucks need to avoid parking vehicles in tall, grassy areas. "Heat from exhaust systems can and will ignite grasses that are quickly drying," he said.

Martin said burn permits are being issued for agricultural areas in the county, but on a case-by-case basis, depending on location and air quality conditions.

Those with questions need to contact Martin at the Preston Fire Station, 852-3111.



Copyright 2009 Preston Citizen, Preston, Idaho. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2009 Preston Citizen Preston, Idaho. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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